Something to keep an eye on for Sarr

[kyjeff1]

Is it possible that Sarr could major in a program or class that isn't offered at Wake forest that is offered at UK and be eligible that way? Just was thinking about that scenario

I'm thinking this is where having Sandy Bell on staff really pays off. I know it's the SEC we're dealing with, but the SEC isn't nearly as crooked as the NCAA.

 

[KyCat]

Well, Bruce Pearl doesn’t get to decide and quite honestly, it’s something he better get used to, because starting next year, the transfer-and-play-immediately era is going to begin. If he's struggling with this one guy, he's going to totally lose it when 50 kids transfer each year and get to play right away.

You are right that Bruce Pearl doesn't get to decide. However the getting used to it is another issue. Though I suspect it will work out the way you describe, there is a hiccup in the logic. The transfer-and-play-immediately era you speak to is based on the likelihood we all suspect of the NCAA allowing a one time transfer with immediate eligibility. While that would make students eligible under the NCAA guidelines that does not remedy the situation Sarr is in right now. Because the NCAA waived the current rule for Sarr it is not the NCAA holding up his eligibility, rather it is an SEC rule. If the NCAA does as you suggest and we all suspect, that in and of itself does not render the SEC eligiblity rule moot. In other words, the SEC rule that is prohibiting Sarr because he is a transfer who did not graduate from his previous school and has only one year of eligibility remaining. That SEC rule must also be done away with to impact players like Sarr who transfer into the SEC. I suspect that it too will ultimately be done away with but it is not automatic.

For undergraduate transfers with two years of eligibility when they transfer I do not know what the SEC rule is or it if it simply defers to the NCAA rule. As a result those players may not be impacted by a more restrictive SEC rule.

 

[weatherbird]

You are right that Bruce Pearl doesn't get to decide. However the getting used to it is another issue. Though I suspect it will work out the way you describe, there is a hiccup in the logic. The transfer-and-play-immediately era you speak to is based on the likelihood we all suspect of the NCAA allowing a one time transfer with immediate eligibility. While that would make students eligible under the NCAA guidelines that does not remedy the situation Sarr is in right now. Because the NCAA waived the current rule for Sarr it is not the NCAA holding up his eligibility, rather it is an SEC rule. If the NCAA does as you suggest and we all suspect, that in and of itself does not render the SEC eligiblity rule moot. In other words, the SEC rule that is prohibiting Sarr because he is a transfer who did not graduate from his previous school and has only one year of eligibility remaining. That SEC rule must also be done away with to impact players like Sarr who transfer into the SEC. I suspect that it too will ultimately be done away with but it is not automatic.

For undergraduate transfers with two years of eligibility when they transfer I do not know what the SEC rule is or it if it simply defers to the NCAA rule. As a result those players may not be impacted by a more restrictive SEC rule.

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. The NCAA rule as of today is that all transfers who did not graduate before transferring must sit one year. A lot of players are receiving waivers from that rule. So the only way the SEC rule even comes into effect today is if the NCAA grants a waiver. So if the SEC keeps the rule (my guess is they won't), then it won't matter what the NCAA rule is unless it is more restrictive.

So in looking at this, the SEC made this rule specifically to override a waiver from the NCAA to begin with. That is the only way the rule even gets to be applied. It makes you wonder why the rule was ever put in place to begin with. I might could understand the SEC wanting to do this for transfers within conference, but the rule is for all transfers. The SEC also did something very crafty, they gave an out by listing 2 exceptions to the rule. Now I would assume UK was at least intelligent enough to have Sarr major in something that wasn't offered at Wake, so the decision that the SEC is likely making is, does that actually fit the exception listed. My guess is that it will.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going to be angry if the SEC doesn’t clear Sarr. Especially given all the money UK puts in their coffers every post season.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

Is it possible that Sarr could major in a program or class that isn't offered at Wake forest that is offered at UK and be eligible that way? Just was thinking about that scenario

Equine Studies or Equine Science and Management. Who doesn’t love horses, and what better place?

 

[chroix]

I’d just have him suit up and force their hand. Enough of the NCAAs double standard towards us. SEC really want to mess with the biggest draw they’ve got in basketball?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I’d just have him suit up and force their hand. Enough of the NCAAs double standard towards us. SEC really want to mess with the biggest draw they’ve got in basketball?

My worry is as others have said, he would be an exception to the rule. I haven't heard if the SEC grants those exceptions often, a lot, or none at all. Further, I'd like to know, in the event that the SEC doesn't clear him, can we still play him in SEC games and they just forfeit them from the record books? Because I could give a **** about SEC games counting.

But then in that scenario.. does the NCAA count those games as.. what, exactly? Losses? Never happened? Hopefully they just don't exist and Kentucky is seeded based on their 10-15 OOC games, yet we use those SEC games simply as high-octane scrimmages to get us ready for the tournament.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

My worry is as others have said, he would be an exception to the rule. I haven't heard if the SEC grants those exceptions often, a lot, or none at all. Further, I'd like to know, in the event that the SEC doesn't clear him, can we still play him in SEC games and they just forfeit them from the record books? Because I could give a **** about SEC games counting.

But then in that scenario.. does the NCAA count those games as.. what, exactly? Losses? Never happened? Hopefully they just don't exist and Kentucky is seeded based on their 10-15 OOC games, yet we use those SEC games simply as high-octane scrimmages to get us ready for the tournament.

Given how this rule has evolved, past SEC behavior is not necessarily going to be a good indicator of what they’ll do here.

The SEC presidents have historically been strongly opposed to allowing one year transfers, going all the way back to the early part of Roy Kramer’s tenure as commissioner. The rule used to be that one year transfers were strictly prohibited. SEC schools were banned from accepting them in the first place.

They eased the rule briefly in mid-2000’s to allow grad transfers after the NCAA rule change, but reversed course in 2011 and returned to a ban on all one year transfers (post-Jeremiah Masoli). Because they were so strict, few schools even attempted a waiver. The only two I can recall are Alex Oriakhi and LaShay Page.

Starting in 2014, the SEC has been steadily changing the rules to be less restrictive. They started to allow grad transfers again and have revised that rule a couple of times. They also made the rule affecting Sarr’s status to be less restrictive. It used to prevent schools from taking athletes like Sarr, now it says they can take them but they have to sit out a year.

The key driver of these changes, along with all of the other major NCAA rule changes, has been the anti-trust lawsuits against the NCAA. The SEC started easing some of these restrictions as part of a broader legal strategy to reduce the risk of a negative anti-trust ruling in court.

These broader trends are ones that work in Sarr’s favor. Whether that helps him this year specifically remains to be seen.

As to your other question about what happens if the SEC rules him ineligible and we play him anyway, that’s not something I think UK would even consider. If UK did that, the SEC has the authority to ban UK from the NCAA tournament.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Is it possible that Sarr could major in a program or class that isn't offered at Wake forest that is offered at UK and be eligible that way? Just was thinking about that scenario

Possibly, but that’s sometimes easier said than done.

In order to play this year, Sarr has to be academically eligible, which includes meeting progress towards degree requirements. For Sarr, that means that the courses on his transcript will need to cover 60% of his degree requirements.

If you switch to a new major that is completely unrelated to your old major, it can be easy to fall short of the progress requirements because your transcript includes a bunch of classes that don’t count towards your new major. That ends up limiting your options for picking a new major.

Perhaps there is a new major that just so happens to work for Sarr, but I’d be skeptical of that. I think UK would be better off pursuing a more general waiver and not focusing on the two exceptions laid out in the SEC rule. Schools aren’t necessarily limited to those two options when it comes to requesting SEC waivers anyway.

 

[weatherbird]

Possibly, but that’s sometimes easier said than done.

In order to play this year, Sarr has to be academically eligible, which includes meeting progress towards degree requirements. For Sarr, that means that the courses on his transcript will need to cover 60% of his degree requirements.

If you switch to a new major that is completely unrelated to your old major, it can be easy to fall short of the progress requirements because your transcript includes a bunch of classes that don’t count towards your new major. That ends up limiting your options for picking a new major.

Perhaps there is a new major that just so happens to work for Sarr, but I’d be skeptical of that. I think UK would be better off pursuing a more general waiver and not focusing on the two exceptions laid out in the SEC rule. Schools aren’t necessarily limited to those two options when it comes to requesting SEC waivers anyway.

While they may not be limited, you would have to think that the waiver request has a higher probability of being approved using a noted exception versus trying something completely different. As for the major issue, that isn't as hard to accomplish as you are making it out to be. 60% is just a little over 2 years, call it 2-1/2 years of scheduled classwork. For most majors, the first almost 2 years will be general core classes, which will work almost no matter what major you pick, and is why changing majors in the first 2 years isn't that big of a deal. Now certainly there are majors for which that isn't true, but for most it is. Then you also have the replacement classes, or in other words, classes that aren't exact to the class required for the major, but is an acceptable substitute, of which the school certifies that, which means UK has control there, and outside of trying to substitute a class that really has no connection to a required class, they can make stuff fit. And if Sarr did in fact attend summer school at UK, he could have made up ground on the major that was chosen, allowing him to meet the 60% rule by the fall semester.

Even beyond all that, we aren't talking about the common guidance counselor helping him choose a major that fits the requirements, UK has people for which these kinds of issues are their specialty. If they chose a waiver for a reason not noted in the exceptions, then they would be totally at the mercy of whoever is making the decision, whether it is a good argument or not. At least by choosing one of the noted exceptions you have something stated in the rules that help your case. While I'm sure you can request a waiver for something not listed, the rule reads as though the 2 exceptions are the only waivers they will consider. As the rule reads, the institution can request a waiver for.....and then lists the 2 exceptions, which indicates that even the noted exceptions aren't required to get approved, just says those are the 2 for which you can submit a waiver.

And while the SEC would be able to keep UK from getting the automatic SEC bid to the NCAA tournament, not sure they can keep them from getting an at large bid. Now maybe they have enough pull to make the NCAA not consider UK for a bid, but I'm not sure they can outright deny UK by themselves. Having said that, there is next to zero chance UK would play him if not cleared by the SEC, but it would be more likely that UK would go down the route of trying to force the SEC to clear him, via threatening. And if the fans really got on board, they could really hurt the SEC by choosing not to attend the SEC Tournament which generates a bit of money for the conference internally.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

While they may not be limited, you would have to think that the waiver request has a higher probability of being approved using a noted exception versus trying something completely different. As for the major issue, that isn't as hard to accomplish as you are making it out to be. 60% is just a little over 2 years, call it 2-1/2 years of scheduled classwork. For most majors, the first almost 2 years will be general core classes, which will work almost no matter what major you pick, and is why changing majors in the first 2 years isn't that big of a deal. Now certainly there are majors for which that isn't true, but for most it is. Then you also have the replacement classes, or in other words, classes that aren't exact to the class required for the major, but is an acceptable substitute, of which the school certifies that, which means UK has control there, and outside of trying to substitute a class that really has no connection to a required class, they can make stuff fit. And if Sarr did in fact attend summer school at UK, he could have made up ground on the major that was chosen, allowing him to meet the 60% rule by the fall semester.

Even beyond all that, we aren't talking about the common guidance counselor helping him choose a major that fits the requirements, UK has people for which these kinds of issues are their specialty. If they chose a waiver for a reason not noted in the exceptions, then they would be totally at the mercy of whoever is making the decision, whether it is a good argument or not. At least by choosing one of the noted exceptions you have something stated in the rules that help your case. While I'm sure you can request a waiver for something not listed, the rule reads as though the 2 exceptions are the only waivers they will consider. As the rule reads, the institution can request a waiver for.....and then lists the 2 exceptions, which indicates that even the noted exceptions aren't required to get approved, just says those are the 2 for which you can submit a waiver.

And while the SEC would be able to keep UK from getting the automatic SEC bid to the NCAA tournament, not sure they can keep them from getting an at large bid. Now maybe they have enough pull to make the NCAA not consider UK for a bid, but I'm not sure they can outright deny UK by themselves. Having said that, there is next to zero chance UK would play him if not cleared by the SEC, but it would be more likely that UK would go down the route of trying to force the SEC to clear him, via threatening. And if the fans really got on board, they could really hurt the SEC by choosing not to attend the SEC Tournament which generates a bit of money for the conference internally.

The SEC has the authority to enact a post season ban on UK, which would prevent UK receiving any bid (automatic or at-large) to the NCAA tournament per NCAA bylaw 18.4.2.1 (a). The SEC doesn’t need any “pull” to accomplish that; the selection committee is required by rule to defer to conference decisions on institutional eligibility.

For progress towards degree requirements, they can very much be as difficult as I initially laid out and I know this from personal experience with some of the waivers I’ve worked on. If we use a UK marketing degree as an example, the university core classes only comprise 30 hours of the requirements. There are then a number of pre-major courses that must be taken that are mostly business related (e.g., accounting, economics). If someone were to switch from something in social sciences or math, they’re potentially going to run into some issues.

That’s also assuming that all of the core work at the prior school transfers and is applied to a course that meets UK core requirements. Anytime someone transfers after their sophomore or junior year, there’s quite a bit of work that goes into just getting the transcript right, even if you’re keeping the same major. This often includes needing summer school to retake core classes and not just classes for the major.

As to how they apply for the waiver, the SEC rule may read that way, but it appears you aren’t very familiar with how the SEC rules should be interpreted nor how they get applied. The SEC constitution and bylaws are not a stand alone document. They are to be read in conjunction with the Division I manual. Additionally, applying for a waiver outside of the exceptions is not a problem.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Btw Gatewood got his waivers.

 

[Lead Belly]

Btw Gatewood got his waivers.

Just like they will Sarr. If anyone is still reading @UKnCincy posts with any seriousness, I feel sorry for you!

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Btw Gatewood got his waivers.

If gatewood is eligible dont see how Sarr can be denied.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Matt Jones just tweeted hinting that Will Wade and Pearl could possibly cause the issues.

 

[Nuke99m.]

Matt Jones just tweeted hinting that Will Wade and Pearl could possibly cause the issues.

Will Wade has bigger issues than if Sarr plays.

 

[JAC71]

Pearl and Wade need to thank their lucky stars that they haven’t been barred from coaching. If the SEC cowers to these idiots then there is no hope for college basketball

 

[bucsrule8872]

Honestly, every college athlete needs to get an extra year if they want it. With COVID there are no guarantees that they won’t have to miss multiple games, plus the majority of the winter sports players missed their postseason last season so in this unprecedented time, this year shouldn’t count against anyone.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Matt Jones just tweeted hinting that Will Wade and Pearl could possibly cause the issues.

Who cares. Not their decision.

 

[Wildcats1st]

If the sec gave a waiver to an in conference transfer in football then it’s all over except nut job pearl and cheating *** wades crying.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

So, being dead wrong about the NCAA and Sarr wasn’t much of a lesson for some, I see. Posting the same BS about the SEC and Sarr.

Read my lips: Sarr will be cleared to play. If Gatewood was cleared in conference there is no way Sarr is not cleared.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

So, being dead wrong about the NCAA and Sarr wasn’t much of a lesson for some, I see. Posting the same BS about the SEC and Sarr.

Read my lips: Sarr will be cleared to play. If Gatewood was cleared in conference there is no way Sarr is not cleared.

I think it’s less about BS and more about your ability to understand what’s being discussed.

Nothing I’ve discussed in this thread has anything to do with whether or not the SEC grants Sarr a waiver. It’s simply been a discussion of contingencies and responding to folks’ questions about what happens in potential scenarios.

Not sure why you’re having so much difficulty keeping up here. It’s pretty straightforward stuff.

 

[Lead Belly]

I guess it is hard to keep up with a story that keeps changing. But keep trying. After all, no one can be wrong all the time.

So far he has. This is getting as bad as Coach who used to post here.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

I guess it is hard to keep up with a story that keeps changing. But keep trying. After all, no one can be wrong all the time.

Which part of the story changed?

 

[kl40504_rivals]

Stuntman68 raised a good point yesterday about blanket waivers that got buried in the other Sarr thread. I wanted to highlight this as it’s worth keeping an eye on.

In the event that the SEC decides to deny a waiver for Sarr, there’s a chance that an upcoming NCAA action might supersede that denial as an unintended consequence and permit UK to play Sarr.

The NCAA recently approved a blanket waiver granting all fall sports athletes an extra year of eligibility because of COVID’s impact on this season. They’re now also debating whether they should do the same for athletes participating in winter sports, like basketball.

If the NCAA were to issue a blanket waiver that granted an extra year of eligibility to basketball players, then Sarr would no longer be subject to the SEC two year eligibility rule and would no longer need a waiver from the SEC. UK would be free to play him this season.

There is a Division I Council meeting in about three weeks where they could potentially make this decision. It’s worth keeping an eye on this in the event that the SEC hasn’t reached a decision on Sarr by then or has already denied the waiver.

I thought you said the rules to receive waivers was the same this year as last year and that the NCAA and SEC would not be any more lenient with giving waivers than in the past. Evidently SEC commisioner Greg Sankey doesn't agree with you based on his most recent statement in granting Gatewood a waiver. No question Sarr will also get a waiver.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

I thought you said the rules to receive waivers was the same this year as last year and that the NCAA and SEC would not be any more lenient with giving waivers than in the past. Evidently SEC commisioner Greg Sankey doesn't agree with you based on his most recent statement in granting Gatewood a waiver. No question Sarr will also get a waiver.

I said the NCAA guidelines for waivers remain unchanged, which is a true statement.

I never made any statement whatsoever on whether the SEC would adjust their rules. What I did say about the SEC process is that it is far less formal than the NCAA process and allows for things like lobbying and negotiating behind the scenes, which is exactly what just happened.

Let me know if you need me to link to my previous post discussing that aspect of the SEC process.

 

[dave5164]

If these comments by Sankey doesn't apply to all athletes not just football then I am clueless. Here is what Sankey said about Covid-19 and the circumstances in 2020. Sankey mentioned this when he was on the SEC Channel too about this year with Covid-19 and all circumstances that has happened this year. We will also see in the next of couple of weeks from the NCAA that Basketball will be added to a free year as well as all sports with the Covid-19 and everything that has happened this year in Sports. Here is exactly what Sankey said about the waivers.

These are unprecedented times in which decisions about eligibility and competitive opportunities demand consideration of the current challenges facing our student-athletes and schools as a result of COVID-19. In a non-COVID environment there may have been a different outcome for some of the waiver requests determined today.

These are Sankey exact words and if this isn't going to include Sarr and other athletes in the SEC hoping for a Waiver then Sankey should have said nothing on topic.

If Olivier Sarr which has been approved by the NCAA and now with these exact words from Sankey from the SEC if Sarr isn't approved his WAIVER then Coach Cal & Staff, Mitch Barnhart, and the Whole team need to go to the SEC Office and fight this until Sankey and the SEC approve Sarr.

 

[crxohio]

If it holds up to be a tru enforced statement. Its just matter of time. Sarr will be cleared.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Who cares. Not their decision.

Not ultimately but opinions are weighed.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Nm

 

[Blue Decade]

Well who was it technically... That ruled kanter ineligible. If letter of law resides in sec authority. Why didnt we appeal to them.

No analogies there. Kanter was ruled ineligible by the NCAA because the University of Washington President objected to UK signing him after he was initially going to UW. I am not trying to say it was right. It was not. But it has nothing to do with Sarr, whose transfer is being supported by WF.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Stuntman68 raised a good point yesterday about blanket waivers that got buried in the other Sarr thread. I wanted to highlight this as it’s worth keeping an eye on.

In the event that the SEC decides to deny a waiver for Sarr, there’s a chance that an upcoming NCAA action might supersede that denial as an unintended consequence and permit UK to play Sarr.

The NCAA recently approved a blanket waiver granting all fall sports athletes an extra year of eligibility because of COVID’s impact on this season. They’re now also debating whether they should do the same for athletes participating in winter sports, like basketball.

If the NCAA were to issue a blanket waiver that granted an extra year of eligibility to basketball players, then Sarr would no longer be subject to the SEC two year eligibility rule and would no longer need a waiver from the SEC. UK would be free to play him this season.

There is a Division I Council meeting in about three weeks where they could potentially make this decision. It’s worth keeping an eye on this in the event that the SEC hasn’t reached a decision on Sarr by then or has already denied the waiver.

Looks like some other folks are picking up on this now as well. Will be interesting to see what the DI Council decides to do.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Looks like some other folks are picking up on this now as well. Will be interesting to see what the DI Council decides to do.

The pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. It will impact the winter sports. They should get the same treatment as fall sports. Fall sports are getting to play. Why should they getting an extra season while the winter sports do not? Heck, winter sports have already lost a lot more than fall sports because they lost their postseason last year. I doubt fall sports lose their postseasons. If they do, then winter sports will also be impacted. I just can’t see how they can rationalize giving fall sports a bonus year and not the winter sports. There is no way basketball gets in 30+ games as usual. Got to give them the same treatment as fall.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

The pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. It will impact the winter sports. They should get the same treatment as fall sports. Fall sports are getting to play. Why should they getting an extra season while the winter sports do not? Heck, winter sports have already lost a lot more than fall sports because they lost their postseason last year. I doubt fall sports lose their postseasons. If they do, then winter sports will also be impacted. I just can’t see how they can rationalize giving fall sports a bonus year and not the winter sports. There is no way basketball gets in 30+ games as usual. Got to give them the same treatment as fall.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but if they decide not to approve it, it will be because of practical concerns.

You have to keep in mind that there has already been some buyers remorse expressed by a number of folks after they gave the fall sports an extra year. In particular, folks on the football side have discussed concerns about how they’ll be able to manage rosters because of this. They’re also concerned because it doesn’t simply create a potential problem next year, but will have an impact over the next four years. Most of the basketball folks I’ve spoken with are in favor of an extra year of eligibility, so that’s encouraging. But these practical concerns are legitimate concerns that several of the schools have.

DI Council meetings are next Tuesday and Wednesday, so we won’t have to wait too long to find out. There are also a couple of other committee meetings scheduled before the DI Council meetings that may give some signals as to what they’ll ultimately decide to do. Interested to see how those committee meetings go.

 

[bucsrule8872]

We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but if they decide not to approve it, it will be because of practical concerns.

You have to keep in mind that there has already been some buyers remorse expressed by a number of folks after they gave the fall sports an extra year. In particular, folks on the football side have discussed concerns about how they’ll be able to manage rosters because of this. They’re also concerned because it doesn’t simply create a potential problem next year, but will have an impact over the next four years. Most of the basketball folks I’ve spoken with are in favor of an extra year of eligibility, so that’s encouraging. But these practical concerns are legitimate concerns that several of the schools have.

DI Council meetings are next Tuesday and Wednesday, so we won’t have to wait too long to find out. There are also a couple of other committee meetings scheduled before the DI Council meetings that may give some signals as to what they’ll ultimately decide to do. Interested to see how those committee meetings go.

Pandora’s Box has been opened. There will be an outcry from winter sports athletes if they are not treated equitably. It has little impact as far as I can see for UK, so it really won’t matter to me. Sarr should get a waiver from the SEC anyway and it’s not like he will stay another extra year. Mintz isn’t likely to stay for a sixth year of college, and the rest of our guys will never play more than 3 years tops, so it’s going to have little impact for us, most likely.

 

[dave5164]

I mean I think it will be great if the NCAA does give the Winter Sports another season and like many on here I agree they have been the most impacted this year. There was no 2020 NCAA Tournament March Madness which is why these Kids come to play in the NCAA. We now see they have pushed the Basketball schedule back to end of November and 27 games. We now supposedly will have another bad wave of Covid-19 hitting which at any time would affect the Winter sports schedule. I would say with everyone else receiving a free season the NCAA should have the Whole NCAA 2020 season be a Free Year to all athletes. Just like with Football I will say there will be basketball players not take the additional year.

I believe though after Commissioner Greg Sankey made this Statement on the football players Cade Mays and Joey Gatewood then Olivier Sarr should receive his 'SEC WAIVER APPROVAL' for 2020-2021 season. Here is Commissioner Greg Sankey's Statement on October 1, 2020

Greg Sankey said It must be stated unequivocally that these approvals are solely a reflection of the unique circumstances present and should not be interpreted as endorsement of the rationale set forth by individuals seeking these waivers,” Sankey said in a statement.
But Sankey said these are “unprecedented times” with players and schools facing challenges because of COVID-19. If this doesn't give the remaining athletes there WAIVER APPROVALS then Sankey should have not made this statement when approving the Football players. I would say the only Athletes that they might have a problem with a Waiver in the SEC is if they are having grade issues or other issues from the School they were attending before transferring to an SEC School. I would say this should be more than enough to get Olivier Sarr his SEC TRANSFER APPROVAL! I mean it will also help in a couple of weeks if the NCAA does give the Winter Sports a FREE YEAR but I do believe that most if not all SEC Athletes will receive Waiver Approvals if the NCAA like with SARR has already Approved their Waiver's for 2020-2021 season.

 

[UKnCincy_rivals]

Looks like some other folks are picking up on this now as well. Will be interesting to see what the DI Council decides to do.

Goodman has picked up on this as well.

In addition to the men’s basketball oversight committee, there are two other committees who’s opinion will be sought by the DI Council: the women’s basketball oversight committee and the student-athlete experience committee.

If by some chance we’ve not heard from the SEC regarding Sarr’s waiver by next Wednesday, then this is something to watch.

 

[dave5164]

I get this will help Sarr too if basketball gets a free season. I still believe after Sankey approved Mays and Gatewood's waiver because of Covid-19 that Sankey is going to have to Approve Sarr and other athlete's because of Covid-19 in the SEC. If Sankey doesn't approve Sarr and other athletes Transfer Waivers because of Covid-19 Sankey will have Major issues to deal with it from the other athletes and teams.

 

[caneintally]

I get this will help Sarr too if basketball gets a free season. I still believe after Sankey approved Mays and Gatewood's waiver because of Covid-19 that Sankey is going to have to Approve Sarr and other athlete's because of Covid-19 in the SEC. If Sankey doesn't approve Sarr and other athletes Transfer Waivers because of Covid-19 Sankey will have Major issues to deal with it from the other athletes and teams.

This is correct and thus why no player in either sport has had any trouble getting a waiver this season .

 

[KyCat]

I get this will help Sarr too if basketball gets a free season. I still believe after Sankey approved Mays and Gatewood's waiver because of Covid-19 that Sankey is going to have to Approve Sarr and other athlete's because of Covid-19 in the SEC. If Sankey doesn't approve Sarr and other athletes Transfer Waivers because of Covid-19 Sankey will have Major issues to deal with it from the other athletes and teams.

I guess it depends on Sankey's role in the waiver approval process for players in the SEC. I know he is the head of the SEC and as such probably has influence some regardless, but is a he the main decision maker or is there a committee or others who have this task? If it is a committee, who are the committee members and what is their relationship with Sankey? Can Sankey override a decision if it is made by a committee? If he is not the decision maker then what he says is essentially moot other than what influence he may have on those who do make the determination.